Freida Pinto: Beauty and the Cannes
Indian actress reveals how she glams it up on the red carpet at the festival
In the past, Danny Boyle’s discovery Freida Pinto has made no secret that she doesn’t naturally gravitate towards those typical Bollywood musicals. So it should come as no surprise that this Mumbai girl and a champion of arty Indian films takes immense pride in the unusual films that are being showcased at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Pinto, the face of cosmetic giant L’Oreal Paris, tells tabloid! that she’s “glad” that the spotlight is on Indian cinema, which recently celebrated 100 years.
“This is an amazing milestone,” said Pinto in an e-mail interview from Cannes.
“Indian cinema has come a long way and is making a tremendous impact internationally and the new and young crop of indie and alternative filmmakers are definitely game changers to watch out for. When movies like these get recognition in Cannes, it gives them that kind of boost,” said Pinto, who was plucked from obscurity when Boyle’s Oscar-winning ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ hit the big screens in 2008.
However, one of India’s most famous crossover export who grew up in Bollywood capital chose to stay away from Indian films and set her eyes on conquering Hollywood. The 29-year-old beauty hasn’t done too shabbily. Her career in Hollywood has been a mixed bag of art films and blockbusters. From playing a Rajasthani peasant in ‘Trishna’ (a modern take on Thomas Hardy’s ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’), to a Greek oracle priestess in epic fantasy ‘Immortals’, to an exotic beauty in Woody Allen’s London drama ‘You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger’, Pinto has struck gold a few times. She may have stayed away from playing a quintessential Bollywood heroine who can look pretty and dance like a dream, but she takes pride in being known as an actress of Indian origin.
“Pride, never a weakness,” she declared when asked about the strengths and weakness attached to being labelled an actress of Indian origin in the West. Her response was far more elaborate when quizzed about her fashion and beauty regime.
She claims she never feels pressure before hitting the Cannes red carpet. Her top tip?
“Beauty is how I feel about myself. Being comfortable in my skin and graciously accepting the many wonderful things I have been given in life is what beauty is all about. Fashion is an add-on to a person’s beauty,” said Pinto who never fails to impress us on the red carpet. A fashion critic’s darling. Pinto has a relatively stress-free regimen before a red carpet call.
“I cleanse and moisturise my skin and back it up with an intake of at least 3 to 4 litres of water every day. [I eat] plenty of fresh and raw fruits and vegetables,” said Pinto, who also tries to squeeze in a nap in between her Cannes red carpet roll call and the marathon interviews lined up for her. The world’s largest film showcase is as much about fashion and glamour as it’s about films. So naturally, she is always prepared.
“I always carry around my basics: my L’Oreal Glam Bronze, L’Oreal Le Kajal and L’Oreal Million Lashes Mascara. I believe the foundation is an essential to a lady’s makeup collection. The foundation colour must be very true to your own natural skin colour. I always try out the foundation on my face and not my hand to pick the right shade that best suits my skin tone,” said Pinto.
